Be
by Common
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 24, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 163
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 163
  3. Negative: 11 out of 163

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  1. SeanW
    May 27, 2005
    10
    It's unbelievable. Anything Kanye touches is magic. And Common is just straight up real. It's refreshing as hell to hear a guy rappin about things other than money, hos, and clothes. It's a great album, and Kanye's producing really doesn't hurt it.
  2. SindreathaT
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    Great album. Common has outdone even himself.
  3. [Anonymous]
    May 26, 2005
    10
    11 great songs. A classic. Five mics.
  4. JimmyP
    Aug 18, 2005
    10
    This album has perfect lyrics, a perfect production. There are no standout tracks on this album because this whole album is a standout in this day and age of commercial rap music. Common has always been an exceptional mc, but this is a step up on another level thanks to his new lyrics, and Mr. Kanye West. This is an instant classic that belongs with his other classic Ressurection. The This album has perfect lyrics, a perfect production. There are no standout tracks on this album because this whole album is a standout in this day and age of commercial rap music. Common has always been an exceptional mc, but this is a step up on another level thanks to his new lyrics, and Mr. Kanye West. This is an instant classic that belongs with his other classic Ressurection. The best album in rap music 2005, and one of the best albums of the year. So I all have to say is that I cry out Grammy! Common has had one a long time coming and hopefully this will get him one.… Expand
  5. AnthonyB
    May 24, 2005
    10
    Flawless album
  6. lonelyspacepanda
    May 24, 2005
    10
    In a genre that has been vacant of truth and beauty, Common (with Kanye's help) creates a flawless album overbrimming with it.
  7. rubenf
    May 25, 2005
    10
    Damn. yo let me the first to say, this album is official. aint heard an album as good since stillmatic. Common has created a classic. hands down the best rap this decade!!!
  8. kashifs
    May 25, 2005
    10
    inspirational
  9. J.M.Sarabia
    May 28, 2005
    10
    Common hooks up with Kanye West on this one and what you get is an instant classic/ masterpiece. Every track on this album is perfectly assembled from the the intro "Be" to the final track "Its Your World". The only other pefectly assembled albums, with this kind of caliber in the genre, are Nas's - Stillmatic and Scarface's - The FIx. Kanye West delivers better production than Common hooks up with Kanye West on this one and what you get is an instant classic/ masterpiece. Every track on this album is perfectly assembled from the the intro "Be" to the final track "Its Your World". The only other pefectly assembled albums, with this kind of caliber in the genre, are Nas's - Stillmatic and Scarface's - The FIx. Kanye West delivers better production than what he put on this debut album, College Dropout. I got this album off the net a month and a half ago; it was so amazing that I bought the Delux Edition of the album the day it came out. Thank God for artist like Common that still know what rap/ hip hop trully is! 1.Be (Intro) 10/10 2.The Corner 10/10 3.Go! 10/10 4.Faithful 10/10 5.Testify 10/10 6.Love Is 9.5/10 7.Chi-City 10/10 8.The Food [Live] 9/10 9.Real People 10/10 10.They Say 10/10 11.It's Your World, Pt. 1 & 2 10/10… Expand
  10. VernadetteB
    May 31, 2005
    10
    love this album...it is the resurrection of Common!!!!
  11. MattG
    May 30, 2005
    10
    Regardless of what any critic says (i.e. he doesn't show enough conviction, or his pairing with John Mayer is weak) this album is downright amazing and a joy to listen to. Stop expecting so much from him and enjoy his music.
  12. Hieronymous
    May 30, 2005
    10
    It's music to my ears
  13. AldrichM
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    WOW.. Hip Hop
  14. risa
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    off the hook!
  15. NseE
    Jul 23, 2005
    10
    Perfection! Almost like listening to a soul classic from the 70s. Kanye West outdoes himself. My favourite is the inspirational 'It's your world'. Be eternal!
  16. AlanW
    Jul 4, 2005
    10
    Perfect album, nothing more to say honestly. Beats = 10 Rapping = 10 The only place where it suffers is the live version of the food, but even that is awesome.
  17. RobbieS
    Aug 15, 2005
    10
    Possibly the best intro into an album ever
  18. Eric-
    Aug 5, 2005
    10
    best album of 2005. already a classic
  19. Chris
    Aug 7, 2005
    10
    Easily the best CD of this year in rap music.
  20. AlbertP
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    This album is 'The Food' for your mind, body and soul. Long live Common
  21. TeddyG.
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    No, comment except to say, that this is a classic!
  22. niyim
    Jul 20, 2007
    10
    this is a hip hop classic. period
  23. BenW
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    Best Album of the Year?
  24. MCDish
    Dec 14, 2005
    10
    This is one of the most emotionally touching, poignant albums of the year. The song 'Chi City' will absolutely bitchslap you, The Corner, Be, the Food, and the last song on the album are so emotionally vivid and powerful that it will leave you breathless. This contends with Talib Kweli and Kanye West, in my opinion, for best hip-hop album of the year.
  25. ChaseM
    May 24, 2005
    10
    perhaps the most solid, concise Hip Hop album in a decade.
  26. VinceH.
    May 25, 2005
    10
    Easily his best album since the consicious-masterpiece "Like Water for Chocolate". As a huge Common fan, there is no feeling in the world like hearing Common tear to shreds a Jay Dee or Kanye beat. It just feels so...natural. OF course the lyrics are beyond great (lyrically it's the best of its kind since "Black on Both Sides") and the production is soulful and inspired. Along with Easily his best album since the consicious-masterpiece "Like Water for Chocolate". As a huge Common fan, there is no feeling in the world like hearing Common tear to shreds a Jay Dee or Kanye beat. It just feels so...natural. OF course the lyrics are beyond great (lyrically it's the best of its kind since "Black on Both Sides") and the production is soulful and inspired. Along with "1998" with Blueprint, this is the album of 2005.… Expand
  27. TonyJ
    May 25, 2005
    10
    Pure Hip-hop soul
  28. Vince
    May 26, 2005
    10
    This album is ridiculously brilliant - Kanye and Common are like PB & J...
  29. Paul
    May 26, 2005
    10
    Classic IMO
  30. {D}
    May 27, 2005
    10
    Anyone who klaims that this cd is not the truth is simply lost and blinded from the truth and that is the reason why you simply think that it is not the truth... If anyone who doesnt like this album is basically being nieve to kold hard facts... Common is the best MC out right now and has been for awhile
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Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Album of 2005
51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2005
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Prefix Magazine
    80
    The album is an extremely satisfying listen, but if Common is to lead the revolution, he has to make more of a statement than a great bass line and some tight rhymes.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    Be isn't likely to be referred to by anyone as groundbreaking, but it's one of Common's best, and it's also one of the most tightly constructed albums of any form within recent memory.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    80
    Be picks up where West's The College Dropout left off. [Jun 2005, p.113]
See all critic reviews »